Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-25
The Fight Against Poverty.
Popular Science Monthly.

IS most of our readers are aware, an
association has lately been formed in this
city under the title of the "Anti-Poverty
Society" It proposes to extirpate
poverty by throwing the whole burden of
taxation upon land. One may be allowed
to doubt how far the proposed remedy, if
found to be applicable, would go toward
accomplishing the result desired; but,
that poverty is an evil, and that the best
efforts of modern society should be devot-
ed to removing it, admits of no doubt.
If the Anti-Poverty Society accomplishes
no other good object, We trust it will at
least, during the term of its existence,
help to render the community more
deeply sensible of its duty in this matter.
When we speak of the community, how
ever, we mean its Individual members in
their several private capacities, rather
than the community as politically organ
lied body. We are not OF those who hold
that in legI Station is to be found the
cure for all social ills. On the contrary,
we should be disposed to class what we
May call the legislation habit" with what
has been called the "alcohol- habit" in
this important respect, that each ina plies
resort to an artificial stimulus as a re.
medy for constitutional weaknesses-in
one case in the other in the individual
human body. Both involve distrust of
or disregard for hygienio measures and
the discipline of Nature; and both stand
In the way of Natures restorative action.
If poverty is to be cured, we believe
it can only be through the more general
application of those principles and
methods by which it is already warded
off from the larger portion of society.
The problem that has to be faced, is the
serious one of rendering an individual in
the community fit to earn a mainten-
ance for himself. Such fitness IMPLIES
freedom from habits that are a burden
upon life, from physical or from any
other point of view. Let the advocates
of drastic measures of Legislative reform
what they will, the fact remains that
given certain measure of we'll directed
faculty, and success ia the struggle of
life becomes a sure thing. Instances
abound in every country, but nowhere so
much as In our own, in which men have
risen, not only from the humblest, but
from the most disadvantageous begin
n1ngs to positions of wealth and influence
1t is all a question of fitness. In the So
clal sphere, as elsewhere, the fit will sur
vive and flourish; the Pre-eminently fit will
flourish pre-eminently. It may be that
pre-eminent fitness for present social
conditions may not imply ideal excellence
of character; no doubt it does not; still
the fact remains that success is cues
ton of adoption, and that want of success
Or poverty means non-adaption.
The wise head that makes a single
draft on a sensible heart, will have his
paper honored with full payment of COM
mon sense.
People are reported to be dying from
heat in Chilli. And yet up here people
are praying for Chill weather.
1t is related that in Michigan lately a
hawk, while sailing over base ball field,
was struck by ball. case of retribu-
ton. He was probably knocked out by a
fowl.
s'I think" observed tho Snake Editor,
that an experienced bookkeeper should
be a proficient presdigitateur." ssWhy?"
queried the Horse Editor. Because he
has been trained In the ledger domain"
Man reaps what he COWS, but woman
often rips what she ssws.